Both west London clubs come into Sunday's derby at Craven Cottage with cause for optimism.

Rangers have been on a roll following last month's takeover by Tony Fernandes which allowed manager Neil Warnock to bring in a raft of signings before the transfer window closed.

By contrast, Fulham have been struggling for form but they ended an eight-game winless run with victory in Denmark, courtesy of a couple of goals from Andrew Johnson.

"The win was good for the team, good for everybody's confidence and really good ahead of the weekend," ­Fulham midfielder Etuhu said today.

"I thought we could have killed the game off a bit earlier but we were always comfortable and we had the better players.

"Of course, QPR are a good side. They've got that little buzz at the club with the new signings and the new chairman. But we're Fulham, we're playing at home and you'd like to think we will get a win. It won't be an easy game but we believe in ourselves. It'll be a hard afternoon."

Illness kept both Bobby Zamora and Mousa Dembele out of the match and although they could return against Rangers, Etuhu thinks Johnson merits a starting role too.

"AJ is the only striker of his kind," he added. "There are not many people around that go the other way and cause such problems with his pace and his fitness. He's always there, always ­sniffing for a goal. It is great to see him score again. He was unlucky not to get more games and, hopefully, that is something to show the manager he should use him a bit more."

Over at QPR, one player who is making the most of a regular run of games is Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The midfielder made just one Premier League start for Manchester City last season but is flourishing following his move to Loftus Road last month.

It is almost a year since Wright-­Phillips last played for England and Warnock believes it is much too early for the 29-year-old to be linked with an international recall.

"I want him to play with a smile on his face, first and foremost, to get used to enjoying the game again," said the manager. "So I don't want him considered for England until he's played at least 20 games for us. He's got to play with a smile on his face and he hasn't done that for 18 months."

Warnock has been left stunned by the form of midfielder Shaun Derry, 33, particularly as he believes the player's career might have been finished three years ago.

"When I signed him to help keep Crystal Palace up in the Championship, I told my chairman then, Simon Jordan, we would be taking him for only a few months because his legs have gone," he said. "I don't know what he's done with his legs, because they have got better and better."